[Dexamethasone test, somatomedin level and other metabolic indices in adenoma and cancer of the prostate].

The blood levels of hydroxycorticosteroid-11 (11-HOCS) before and after dexamethasone, somatomedins, cholesterol, triglycerides, beta-lipoproteins and cholesterol of high-density lipoproteins were studied in 55 patients with prostatic adenoma and 75 cases of prostatic cancer. It was found that the hypothalamo-pituitary system is resistant to inhibition by dexamethasone in both groups, while elevation of absolute level of 11-HOCS was observed in cases of adenoma. Patients with prostatic cancer revealed a higher blood serum-somatomedin level. Triglyceride level was relatively higher, and diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidemia (type IIb and IV) were slightly more frequent in patients with prostatic adenoma. This was matched by a relatively higher level of cholesterol and more frequent hyperlipidemia type IIa in cancer patients.